In proverb-like fashion, James gives a series of commands to help people be humble before God and not be friends with the world. These short statements give instructions as to what a person can do to no longer be “proud,” but to be “humble” (James 4:7, 8a).
It is interesting that James did not finish his discussion of the subject of a person’s attitude towards God without giving these statements on how to correct an improper attitude. He says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”